Literary+Genres

A genre is a group or collection of books with a similar theme or style. Following are descriptions of various genres.
 * Literary Genres**
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Picture Books** are stories written around one or two themes with the illustrations being an integral part of the book. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] ||  ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Fantasy** books are a type of fiction that contain elements such as characters or settings that could not exist in life as we know it today. Examples include characters such as dragons or animals with human characteristics. Settings might be magical or other-world. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="7" height="7"]] || **Historical fiction** books are those that give a historically accurate portrayal of life during a particular time in history. They have a strong sense of place and time. This type of book has a call number of "F" and is located alphabetically by author's name within the fiction section. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Mystery** books are stories that involve a suspenseful __#|event__ (often a crime of some type). The reader uses clues from the story and gradually discovers who has committed the crime to solve the mystery by the end of the story. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Realistic fiction** books are those set in present-day. Characters encounter modern day difficulties and dilemmas. Realistic fiction includes mysteries, adventure stories, humorous stories, and much more. This type of book has a call number of "F" and is located alphabetically by author's name within the fiction section. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Nonfiction books** are informational books written by credible authors. Nonfiction books explain how things work, tell facts about many different topics, and show us how to do various things. Nonfiction books are located in a separate area of our library and use call numbers from the Dewey Decimal System. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Folktales** are stories that have been passed down to us over the years by real people. There are many types of folktales, including fables, tall tales, myths, and fairy tales. || [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul2a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || Fables are brief stories that teach a lesson or moral. The characters are usually animals, but they are given human characteristics. An example of a fable is "The Fox and the Grapes." ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul2a.gif width="6" height="6"]] || **Tall Tales** are folktales that have a key element of exaggeration, such as Paul Bunyan. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul2a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Fairy Tales** usually have magical elements with characters that could be fairies, giants, or elves. Many times magical deeds are performed. Cinderella is an example of a fairy tale. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul2a.gif width="4" height="4"]] || **Myths** are stories that serve to explain some phenomenon of nature. Many incorporate gods and goddesses within the story. The story of King Midas is a myth. ||


 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Poetry** books are those that include verses or poems. Poems may be humorous, serious, lyrical, or narrative (tells a story). Many poems have a rhythm and meter. Poems create imagery. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Biographies** are histories of a person's life or parts of his/her life. A biography that is written by a person about his/her own life is called an autobiography. These are located in the nonfiction area, and have a call number of "921" in our library. Sometimes biographies of several people are grouped together within one book. ||


 * Literary** **Elements**


 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="5" height="5"]] || **Characters** are people, animals, etc. in stories. The most important person in the story is the main character. Character traits show what a person is like and offer clues to a person's behavior and actions. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="1" height="1"]] || **Plot** is the plan or pattern of events in a story. The **turning point** of a story is when an __#|event__ happens that lets the reader know something is about to change. The **climax** of the story comes at the end, when the detail come together and form a resolution. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="1" height="1"]] || **Point of View** is a way of looking at things. Each story is told from a person's viewpoint. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="1" height="1"]] || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**Setting** is where and when a story takes place. Settings can change in different parts of the story. ||
 * [[image:http://www.gcms.k12.il.us/gcmsel/lynnet/_themes/blitz/btzbul1a.gif width="1" height="1"]] || <span style="display: block; font-family: verdana,arial,helvetica,sans-serif;">**Theme** is the main subject or idea of a book. ||

[|Back to Top] Is this page ever going to include anything relating this to lit circles or something? And why are all the words in boxes? -Linnea <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Yes, it should change! It is just a beginning and it was also my first attempt to create the wiki. I think the boxes are a result of the cut and paste. I can't get them to go away. .. <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Kathryn

I would love to read the 2nd __Sea of Trolls__ book next year. *Looks sideways at Kathryn*

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Is the second book in the series called //The Land of the Silver Apples//? She has a new book that will be released on September 13, 2013 called //Lord of Opium.// It is a sequel to the book, //The House of the Scorpion.// Have you read that book? What else do you want to read next year? I have a list of books already that follow the history sequence, but what else interests you? Should we have a new page devoted to summer reading ideas? What should I read this summer? I usually read books from our classroom library that I haven't read yet, or possible Literature Circle books. <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Kathryn

<span style="color: #ff0000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">@Kathryn I can't resist saying that //Lord of Opium// sounds a little messed up..... But anyway I think we should also read //The Book Thief// and the maybe one of the LOTRs books...... Unfortunately those are really long. I have not read //The House of the Scorpion//, but I started it. I think the kind of books that interest me most right now are books with some sort of made up aspect, but still modern like //The Alchemist// series. I like that they aren't totally realistic, but still have a modern setting in time. -**​Klaus**​ <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">I agree the title of the sequel to //<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The House //<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;"> of //<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">the Scorpions //<span style="color: #008000; font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;"> sounds dark and evil, but I don't know...she is a highly respected author of young adult literature, so... <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">I appreciate your sharing your current preferences in books. I think I know what you are describing. There are some books that we will read next year that are set in a differnet historical time period because they are compatible with the social studies sequence, which is American history beginning in 1850 through contemporary times. We will look at the relationship of the U.S. to the South Pacific and Europe because of WWII. Have you read the book, //The Night Circus?// Linnea mentions it in the post below. I thought it was fantastic. A book called //Swamplandia// was very good, too, but maybe a bit too mature for our classroom-I can't quite remember the details. I would have to reread it this summer. I am going to do some things differently with groups next year-I am already working on plans... <span style="color: #008000; font-family: Comic Sans MS,cursive;">Keep making suggestions! //The Book Thief// is a good one and it is compatible with the study of the Holocaust and WWII. -Kathryn I would love to learn more about WW1 and WW2. What are //The Night Circus// and //Swamplandia// about? I have never heard of them, but they sound intriguing. What kinds of things will change in the lit. circles? -**Klaus**​ Yes, I do think it is called that, and the third is called //The Isles of the Blessed// or something. They are very good books and continuations of the original plot. I have read //The House of the Scorpion,// and I had no idea there was going to be a sequel! One reccomendation is //The Night Circus;// it's an amazing book! -Linnea I read The Night Circus last summer and really enjoyed it. I think that you are right it might make a good shared read. Kathryn Kathryn, I've already made a request for //The Book Thief// in a different thread, but I would also like to read at least part of the Alchemist series, and the Lord of the Rings series. I'll get back to you if I think of any more, okay? :) I Noticed that you (Linnea) were or are reading that book The Night Circus, when I saw it, it pulled me in; however I did not look into it because, i was already reading a good book. Every one knows that if you find a good book when you are already reading one it is like cheating. so yeah.-NinaN Nina, please refrain from choosing a color of text that makes me have to squint before I have any right to. **Klaus**